Sports giant steps in to save 160 jobs at fashion firm

RETAIL giant JD Sports has saved 10 stores and 160 jobs at Leeds-based Ark after buying the fashion business out of administration.

Ark will continue to trade in its current form from its Leeds office and the current management team will stay in place.

The sale of the business from the administrators of Rett Retail Ltd, Begbies Traynor, secures the jobs of 160 of Ark’s 200 employees.

As part of the deal, uneconomic Ark stores in Norwich, Cambridge and Merry Hill – along with the Hearts and Bows store in Manchester – have closed.

A spokesman for JD Sports Fashion Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have added the Ark fascia to our young fashion offer which brings with it some leading brands and a successful own brand, Cloak and Hearts and Bows.

“We look forward to supporting the established management team to develop the business further.”

Tom Edge, director of Rett Retail and Ark Fashion, added: “Becoming part of the JD group is the best deal for all those involved in Rett Retail.